Compounds for the induction of in vivo and in vitro production of cytokines

ABSTRACT

Certain tellurium compounds have been found to have the ability to stimulate the in vivo and in vitro production of cytokines and thier receptors. These compounds may be utilized in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, immune diseases and infectious diseases.

This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 057,799, filed June 3, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,614.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that the growth of normal lymphocytes is dependent not only on contact with an antigenic substance or a mitogen, but also on the presence of certain growth factors known as lymphokines. One of these growth factors is known as T-cell growth factor (TCGF) better known as interleukin-2 (IL-2). The discovery of this growth factor (Gillis, et al., Nature, 268; 154 (1977) and Ruscetti, et al., J. Immunol, 119; 131 (1977)) resulted in the large scale growth and cloning of T-lymphocytes as sources for IL-2.

The lymphocytes or white blood cells in the animal body come in two types, B-cells and T-cells. The B-cells produce antibodies in the form of immunoglobulins that bind onto invading organisms while the T-cells produce the lymphokines which are responsible for turning B-cells on or off. See for example Cell. Immunol. 36:15 (1978); J. Cell Physiol. 96:53 (1978); Eur. J. Immunol. 8:681 (1978); Immunol. Rev. 54:188 (1981); Immunol. Rev. 54:158 (1981); J. Exp. Med. 154:1500 (1981); National Cancer Institute Mon. 60:211 (1982); Int. J. Cancer 28:157 (1981); The Potential Role of T-Cell Subpopulations in Cancer Therapy, Eds. A. Fefer & A. Goldstein, Raven Press, NY pp 173 et seq. (1982); J. Immunol, 128:(258) 1982.

The known types of lymphokines include, in addition to IL-2, B-cell factors, macrophage activation factor (MAF), Interleukin-3 (IL-3), Colony Stimulating Factor (CSF), Tumor Necrosis Factor, and other factors produced by monocytes such as Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Gamma Interferon. All of these factors are secreted by white blood cells and are collectively known as cytokines. Great attention has been given to using various recombinant DNA techniques and other methodologies for cloning normal T and B cell lines that can produce these materials. See for example Nature 259:130 (1976); Immunology 32:319 (1977); Exp. Hemat, 8:494 (1980); Nature 283:581 (1980); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:1858 (1981); J. Immunol. Methods 49:1 (1982); Nature 29424/31:697-699 (1981), all of which are incorporated by reference.

The present invention is based on the discovery of a class of synthetic organic derivatives of tellurium or selenium that are capable of stimulating cytokine producing cells to produce significant quantities of cytokines both in vivo and in vitro. This discovery makes possible a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide novel compounds based on tellurium or selenium that are useful as therapeutic agents.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel method for producing in vitro cytokines such as lymphokines and induce receptors to these cytokines.

It is also an object of the invention to produce in vivo cytokines such as lymphokines and produce in vivo cytokines such as lymphokines and induce receptors to cytokines for the treatment of diseases such as immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases.

It is also an object of the invention to provide novel pharmaceutical compositions that are based on tellurium compounds that produce cytokines in vivo and in vitro.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an infrared analysis of the compound of Example 1 in KBr.

FIG. 2 is an infrared analysis of the compound of Example 2 in KBr.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The derivatives of tellurium or selenium that are useful in the present invention includes those compounds of the following general formulas which stimulate cells to produce lymphokines: ##STR1## wherein Q is Te or Se; t is 1 or 0; u is 1 or 0; v is 1 or 0; R, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈ and R₉ are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 5 carbons, hydroxy, alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, halogen, haloalkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxy, alkylcarbonylalkyl of 2 to 10 carbons, alkanoyloxy of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, carboxyalkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, acyl, amido, cyano, amidoalkyl of 1 to 5 carbons, N-monoalkylamidoalkyl of 2 to 10 carbons, N,N-dialkylamidoalkyl of 4 to 10 carbons, cyanoalkyl of 1 to 5 carbons, alkoxy of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl of 2 to 10 carbon atoms and --COR₁₀ wherein R₁₀ is alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbons; and X is halogen; while the ammonium salt is illustrated, it is understood that other pharmaceutically acceptable salts are within the scope of the invention. The compounds with the five membered rings are preferred.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the term alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms includes straight and branched chain alkyl groups such as methyl; ethyl; n-propyl; n-butyl, and the like; the term hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms includes hydroxymethyl; hydroxyethyl; hydroxy-n-butyl; the term haloalkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms includes chloromethyl; 2-iodoethyl; 4-bromo-nbutyl; iodoethyl; 4-bromo-n-pentyl and the like; the term alkanoyloxy of 1 to 5 carbon atoms includes acetyl, propionyl, butanoyl and the like; the term carboxyalkyl includes carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, ethylenecarboxy and the like; the term alkylcarbonylalkyl includes methanoylmethyl, ethanoylethyl and the like; the term amidoalkyl includes --CH₂ CONH₂ ; --CH₂ CH₂ CONH₂ ; --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CONH₂ and the like; the term cyanoalkyl includes --CH₂ CN; --CH₂ CH₂ CN; --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ CN and the like; the term alkoxy of 1 to 5 carbon atoms includes methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, n-pentoxy and the like; the terms halo and halogen are used to signify chloro, bromo, iodo and fluoro; the term acyl includes R₁₆ CO wherein R₁₆ is H, or alkyl of 1 to 5 carbons such as methanoyl, ethanoyl and the like; the term aryl includes phenyl, alkylphenyl and naphthyl; the term N-monoalkylamidoalkyl includes --CH₂ CH₂ CONHCH₃, --CH₂ CONHCH₂ CH₃ ; the term N,N-dialkylamidoalkyl includes --CH₂ CON(CH₃)₂ ; CH₂ CH₂ CON(CH₂ CH₃). Compounds which are based on tellurium are the presently preferred compounds of the invention. The tellurium based compounds that are preferred include those of the formula: ##STR2## wherein X is halogen. The preferred halogen species is chloro. These compounds are capable of inducing IL-2 formation as well as the proliferation of IL-2 producer cells and the activation of IL-2 receptor sites.

Other compounds which are based on tellurium and may be used in the practice of the invention include Ph Te Cl₃, Te O₂ and (C₆ H₅)₄ P+ (TeCl₃ (O₂ C₂ H₄)⁻ (Z. Naturforsh, 36B, 307-312 (1981). The compound hereinafter described in Example 2 has the following structure: ##STR3##

Other compounds useful for the practice of invention include: ##STR4## Wherein R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃ and R₁₄ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl of 1-5 carbon atoms, hydroxy and alkyl of 1-5 carbon atoms.

Useful dihydroxy compounds for use in the preparation of compounds of structure A or B, include those of formula I wherein R, R₁, R₄ and R₅ are as shown in the Table:

                  TABLE                                                            ______________________________________                                          ##STR5##                      (I)                                             R     R.sub.1         R.sub.4    R.sub.5                                       ______________________________________                                         H     H               H          H                                             H     Cl              H          H                                             H     OCH.sub.3       H          H                                             H     COOCH.sub.3     H          H                                             H     H               CN         H                                             H     CHO             H          H                                             H     H               COOH       H                                             H     CH.sub.2 COOH   H          H                                             H     H               CHCOOCH.sub.3                                                                             H                                             H     I               H          H                                             H     H               Br         H                                             H     H               CONH.sub.2 H                                             H     H               CH.sub.2 OH                                                                               H                                             H     COOH            H          H                                             ______________________________________                                    

Other dihydroxy compounds for use in the preparation of compounds A and B include those of formula II wherein R, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ are as shown in the Table:

    ______________________________________                                          ##STR6##                     (II)                                             R   R.sub.1  R.sub.2  R.sub.3 R.sub.4  R.sub.5                                 ______________________________________                                         H   H        H        H       H        H                                       H   H        Cl       H       H        H                                       H   CH.sub.2 OH                                                                             H        H       H        H                                       H   H        OH       H       H        H                                       H   H        H        CH.sub.3                                                                               H        H                                       H   H        H        CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                            H        H                                       H   H        H        COOH    H        H                                       H   H        H        CH.sub.2 COOH                                                                          H        H                                       H   H        H        CHO     H        H                                       H   H        H        H       H        CH.sub.2 CHO                            H   H        CONH.sub.2                                                                              H       H.sub.2  CH.sub.3                                H   H        H        CN      H        H                                       H   H        H        H       CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2                                                                     H                                       H   H        H        COOCH.sub.3                                                                            H.sub.3  H                                       H   H.sub.3  OCH.sub.3                                                                               H       H        H                                       ______________________________________                                    

Other dihydroxy compounds for use in making compound of formula A and B include those of formula III wherein R, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ are as shown in the Table.

    ______________________________________                                          ##STR7##                     (III)                                            R    R.sub.1   R.sub.2  R.sub.3                                                                             R.sub.4  R.sub.5                                                                            R.sub.8                                                                             R.sub.9                         ______________________________________                                         H    H         H        H    H        H   H    H                               H    H         Cl       H    H        H   H    H                               H    H         H        H    Br       H   H    H                               H    H         OCH.sub.3                                                                               H    H        H   H    H                               H    H.sub.2   CONH.sub.2                                                                              H    H        H   H    H                               H    Br        H        H    Br       H   H    H                               H    H         H        H    CH.sub.2 COOH                                                                           H   H    H                               H    H         Cl       Cl   H        H   H    H                               H    CH.sub.2 COOH                                                                            H        H    H        H   H    H                               H    H         CH.sub.3 H    H        H   H    H                               H    CH.sub.3  H        H    H        H   H    H                               H    CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                              H        H    H        H   H    H                               H    H         H        I    H        H   H    H                               H    CH.sub.2 CN                                                                              H        H    H        H   H    H                               H    H         H        H    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                                                    H   H    H                               ______________________________________                                    

Additional dihydroxy compounds include those of formula IV wherein R, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ are as shown in the Table.

    __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR8##                                (IV)                                  R  R.sub.1 R.sub.2                                                                              R.sub.3                                                                            R.sub.4                                                                              R.sub.5                                                                           R.sub.6                                                                               R.sub.7                                                                          R.sub.8                                                                           R.sub.9                              __________________________________________________________________________     H  H       H     H   H     H  H      H H  H                                    H  H       Cl    H   H     H  Cl     H H  H                                    H  H       Cl    Cl  H     H  H      H H  H                                    H  H       CONCH.sub.3                                                                          H   H     H  Br     H H  H                                    H  H       Br    H   H     H  CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                   H H  H                                    H  H       H     OCH.sub.3                                                                          H     H  H      H H  H                                    H  H       H     H   OCH.sub.3                                                                            H  H      H H  H                                    H  H       H     H   CH.sub.2 COOH                                                                        H  H      H H  H                                    H  H       COOH  H   H     H  H      H H  H                                    H  CH.sub.3                                                                               H     H   H     H  H      H H  H                                    CH.sub.3                                                                          H       H     H   H     CH.sub.3                                                                          H      H H  H                                    H  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                      H     H   H     H  H      Cl                                                                               H  H                                    H  CH.sub.2 CN                                                                            H     H   CH.sub.2 OH                                                                          H  H      H H  H                                    H  H       H     I   H     H  H      H CN H                                    H  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COOH                                                                 H     H   H     H  H      H H  H                                    H  H       CHO   H   H     H  H      H H  H                                    H  H       H     F   H     H  H      H H  H                                    __________________________________________________________________________

The compounds of the formula: ##STR9## wherein R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₅ are as defined hereinabove; may be made by reacting the appropriate di, tri or tetrahaloselenide or telluride with the appropriate hydroxy compound which may be of the formula:

    HO--R.sub.16

R₁₆ is alkyl of 1 to 5 carbons, haloalkyl of 1 to 5 carbons, aryl, alkylaryl, alkylamido of 1 to 5 carbons, alkylcarbonyl of 1 to 5 carbons, cyanoalkyl of 1 to 5 carbons, cyanoalkyl of 1 to 5 carbons, and an alkoxyalkyl of 2 to 10 carbons. Specific examples of R₁₆ include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl, tolyl, amidoethyl, cyanomethyl, methyloxymethyl and CH₂ CH₂ COOH.

The compounds are made by combining substantially equimolar amounts of the reactants in a suitable reactor at room temperature or at elevated temperatures up to the reflux temperature. It is preferred to utilize a solvent that is capable of dissolving the reactants such as acetonitrile, benzene, toluene, xylene, dimethylsulfoxide, mixtures thereof and the like. Compounds of structure (A) are only obtained in acetonitrile. The preferred method requires heating the reaction mixture to the reflux temperature of the solvent while stirring the reaction mixture with a suitable magnetic or mechanical stirrer. The reaction may be carried out for a sufficient period of time to ensure complete reaction of the reactants. This time will vary with the reaction conditions, the particular compound being made and the nature of the solvents. The reaction may be run at atmospheric pressure but if desired may be carried out at reduced or elevated pressure. The reaction is practically carried out in the presence of an oxygen containing atmosphere such as air but inert atmospheres such as nitrogen, argon, helium or mixtures thereof may be utilized if desired. Reaction times of 1 minute to 168 hours may be used although reaction times of 6-16 hours are preferred.

The reactor should be of glass construction or lined with glass or other ceramic material that is inert with respect to the reactants.

Usually the compounds produced in the process will precipitate as the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature. Precipitation may also be effected by adding a suitable precipitant such as a liquid alkane such as hexane or by concentration of the reaction mixture by solvent removal by evaporation with or without the aid of vacuum. The product may be collected in a sintered glass filter, washed with a cold solvent and dried using conventional techniques. The product is stored in a suitable container, protected from light, and preferably at reduced temperature to avoid decomposition.

The solvent system for administration of the compounds of the invention may be based on dimethylsulfoxide or lower alkanols such as ethanol and propanol, glycols such as ethylene glycol, glycerol, propylene glycol and the like. The preferred solvent system is a phosphate buffered saline solution which contains an amount of sodium acid phosphate and sodium phosphate in water to give a pH of 7.1-7.2 (PBS).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presence of a reactive group that will interfere with the synthesis of a particular compound will require the use of a protective group that is removable using known methods.

The compounds of the invention may be administered to mammals for treatment of immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases using amounts that are effective in each condition. The treatment will alleviate the symptoms of these diseases by causing the mammalian body to produce increased amounts of lymphokines. The invention also includes the in vitro production of increased amounts of cytokines such as lymphokines and or their receptors and the use of these materials and/or as therapeutic agents to be administered to mammals for the alleviation of immune deficiences and infectious diseases.

The term immunodeficiency diseases is used to describe a diverse group of conditions such as Acquired Immunedeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) characterized chiefly by an increased susceptibility to various infections with consequent severe acute, recurrent and chronic disease which result from one or more defects in the specific or nonspecific immune systems. Pages 205-220 of the Merck Manual 13th Edition describe many of these conditions and they are incorporated herein by reference.

The term autoimmune diseases includes disorders in which the immune system produces autoantibodies to an endogenous antigen, with consequent injury to tissues. Pages 241-243 of the Merck Manual 13th Edition describe these conditions and they are incorporated herein by reference.

The term infectious diseases includes those pathologic conditions that arise from bacterial, viral or fungus organisims that invade and disrupt the normal function of the mammalian body. Pages 3-149 of the Merck Manual 13th Edition describe these conditions and they are incorporated herein by reference.

The compounds may be administered orally, parenterally, transcutaneously, topically or by contacting mucous membranes. The compounds may be administered orally in capsules or tablets that may be prepared using conventional excipients, binders, disintegrating agents and the like. The parenteral route is presently preferred and compositions may be prepared by dissolving the compound in a suitable solvent such as an aqueous buffer and dimethyl sulfoxide or glycerol. The parenteral route may be intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal using a sustained release carrier or subcutaneous. The concentration of the compounds in combination with a pharmaceutical carrier is not critical and is a matter of choice. Remingtons Practice of Pharmacy, 9th, 10th and 10th Ed. describe various pharmaceutical carriers and is incorporated herein by reference.

It has been found that a number of the tellurium compounds useful in the practice of the invention will hydrolyze in the presence of water. These hydrolyzed compositions are active in vivo and in vitro although the hydrolyzed compositions eventually decompose and lose their ability to induce lymphokine secretion. For this reason, the compositions should be freshly prepared. If the compounds are administered orally in dry form, they are active in inducing the production of lymphokines. Preferably, the compounds should be kept under anhydrous conditions until just prior to being used.

It has been found that certain compounds such as TeO₂ alone will induce lymphokine production in producer T-cell lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo but it will not cause proliferation of IL-2 producer cells or activate the receptor site in responder T-cell lymphocytes. Thus the invention also contemplates the use alone of TeO₂ and tellurium compounds that are active as lymphokine inducers.

Topical compositions may be prepared by dispersing the compounds in a hydrophillic or hydrophobic cosmetic base. Petroleum jelly or commercial preparations such as Oil of Olay may be used. The concentration may be from 0.0001-5% on a weight/weight basis.

The dosage of the compounds of the invention used to stimulate lymphokine production or treat the specific disease condition described herein may be varied depending on the particular disease and the stage of the disease. Generally an amount of the compound may be administered which will range from 0.05×10⁻³ to 1×10⁻³ g/Kg of body weight and preferably from 0.1×10⁻³ to 0.5×10⁻³ g/Kg of body weight. For example a dosage of 1-3 mg per day for a 75 Kg mammal is contemplated as a sufficient amount to induce lymphokines production but the dosage may be adjusted according to the individual response and the particular condition that is being treated.

In addition to treating the mammalian disorders described hereinabove, the compounds may be utilized for veterinary purposes in the treatment of viral and immune diseases that afflict horses, ungulates and fowl. These disorders may be treated using quantities of the compound that may be used in treating the mammalian disorders described hereinabove.

For in vitro use, cells may be stimulated to produce lymphokines by use of 1×10⁻⁸ to 1×10⁻⁴, preferably 1×10⁻⁷ to 1×10⁻⁵ g of compound per 10⁶ cells/ml.

Preliminary toxicity studies in mice have established an LD₅₀ of 300 ug./25 g of body weight in 6 week old mice for the compound of Example 1. The compounds may be used as anti-bacterial or anti-viral agents in plants or in animals. Virus infections such as West Nile virus infections in mice are susceptible to the compound of the Example 1 at a dose of 10 μg/day/mouse. Plant bacterial infections such as crown gall caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens may be treated or prevented by the application of a 0.1% solution of compounds of the invention.

The invention also contemplates a method for dissolving the compounds of the invention in an aqueous vehicle. This method comprises the use of ultrasound or mechanical agitation for an extended period of time which will dissolve the compound. Generally ultrasound is produced by a transformer which transforms 50/60 hertz, line voltage AC into high frequency electrical energy which is coupled to a transducer. By using piezoelectric ceramics, electrical frequency is converted into mechanical vibration. Typical amplitudes of 0.0003 for 40 k Hz equipment and 0.00007 to 0.001 for 20 k Hz equipment are useful. The transducer may be provided with a booster that is connected to a horn that has means for conducting the ultrasound to a container that holds the liquid for dissolving the compounds of the invention. Useful devices include small scale ultrasonic cleaners such as the Bronson instrument. It has been found that solutions containing about 5 mg/100 ml of the compound of the invention may be prepared by applying ultrasound for a sufficient period of time to provide an aqueous liquid containing the compound. The time required for this is usually 3 hours to 24 hours. High speed mechanical shakers such as a Tutenhauer shaker or waring blenders may be used for this purpose. The use of an electically operated agitator will cause the compounds to form a solution or dispersion after about 3 to 4 hours of agitation.

It has been discovered that glycerol may be used in the preparation of aqueous liquids that contain the compound. These preparations are then diluted with an aqueous injectable diluent such as water, saline solution etc. The preferred diluent is PBS.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following examples are given to illustrate the invention and it is understood that they do not limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

0.01 mol of ethylene glycol and 0.01 mol of tellurium tetrachloride were dissolved in 35 ml of dry acetonitrile and placed in a flask fitted with a reflux condenser and a magnetic stirrer. The reaction mixture was refluxed for six hours. The solution was filtered while hot through a sintered glass filter. The filtrate was collected and allowed to reach room temperature which resulted in the formation of a white precipitate. The precipitate was filtered and collected on a sintered glass filter and washed with cold acetonitrile. It was dried for 10 hours under vacuum of 0.05 mm/Hg. The mp(d) was ca. 200° C. The calculated elemental analysis was % C=7.70; H=2.57; N=4.49; Cl=34.06; O=10.26; Te=40.92 found C=7.87; H=2.5; N=4.5; Cl=33.38;O=10.13; Te=41.12.

The P.M.R. spectra (deuterated DMF)δ(ppm): 4.43(4H,S); 7.7(4H,t); The mass spec. was m/e: 130, 160, 165, 180, 190, 200, 222, 224, 247, 251, 258, 260; the 13C NMR spectrum confirms the presence of CH₂ groups; the ¹²⁵ Te NMR spectrum confirms the presence of one Te atom in the molecule.

The difference in the Cl analysis may be due to the presence of a small quantity of the compounds of formula II in the sample.

EXAMPLE 2

0.01 mol of ethylene glycol was added to 0.01 mol of tellurium tetrachloride in 50 ml of dry benzene in flask fitted with a reflux condenser and a magnetic stirrer. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 16 hours and filtered while hot through a sintered glass filter and worked up as in Example 1 using benzene as a wash liquid to give the compound of formula II. The mp(d) was ca. 250° C.

EXAMPLE 3

A solution of the compound of Example 1 was prepared as follows: 5 mg was placed in a volumetric flask to which was added 100 ml of a solution of 40% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 60% phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution resulting in a concentration of 10 μg/0.2 ml. If the solution becomes turbid, it is centrifuged at 2000 rpm for ten minutes and the clear supernatant portion is used.

The test animals were Balb-c, male, mice, 6 to 8 weeks of age. All injections were made intraperitoneally using 0.2 ml of the solution of the compound of Example 1 using 25 gauge 5/8" hypodermic needle.

The animals received the following injections:

a) Control (no injection)

b) Control (0.2 ml DMSO)

c) 1 μg of compound of Example 1 (in 0.2 ml DMSO/PBS solution)

d) 10 μg of compound of Example 1 (in 0.2 ml of DMSO/PBS solution)

Each of groups a, b, c and d consisted of 21 animals. The animals were sacrificed daily from 24 h to 7 days after injection.

On each day, spleen cells from three of the animals from each control group were pooled together and processed by passing the spleen cells through a 60 mesh stainless steel net in a 5 mm Petri dish containing PBS in order to separate the cells. The cells were collected and centrifuged at 1000 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant was discarded and the cells were treated for two minutes with 5 ml of hypotonic buffer (0.15 M NH₄ CL, 0.01 M KHCO₃ dissolved in double distilled water, pH 7.2) to kill the erythrocytes. Thereafter, PBS was added to the cells and the cells were centrifuged for 10 minutes at 1000 rpm. The cells were washed twice with PBS and counted in a haemocytometer using trypan blue to test for viability. The cells were brought to a concentration of 10⁷ cells/ml using enriched RPMI containing 10% fetal calf serum (Ser Lab, Sussex, England); 5×10⁻⁵ M 2-mercaptoethanol and 3% of d-glutamine (Bio Lab Israel) (stock solution 2m M×1000 nonessential amino acids) (Bio Lab, Israel) (stock solution×100) and sodium pyruvate (Bio Lab, Israel) (stock solution 1m M×100).

An additional three animals from each of the experimental groups were sacrificed and each of the spleens was processed separately using the same procedure.

The cell mixture was divided into two groups.

(a) Cells at a concentration of 10⁷ cells/ml enriched RPMI to which was added concanavalin-A (CON A) (DiFCO, Batch 352) 2 μg./ml. These cells were incubated in 5 mm Petri dishes (NUNC) for 24 hours at 37° C., 7.5% CO₂. Supernatants were collected, centrifuged at 1,600 rpm for 10 minutes and stored at 4° C. until used. These supernatants were assayed for IL-2 and CSF activity.

(b) Cells at a concentration of 10⁷ cells/ml enriched RPMI which were incubated at 37° C., 7.5% CO₂ for 96 h., without addition of CON A. Supernatants were collected, centrifuged and stored at 4° C. until used. These supernatants were assayed for CSF activity.

Prior to incubation of the cells, samples were removed from culture plates and smears of the cultures were made by cytocentrifugation. Slides were stained with May-Grunwald-Giemsa (1:10) solution and evaluated morphologically. A radioactive thymidine assay was used to determine IL-2 activity.

ASSAY FOR IL-2 ACTIVITY

1. Supernatants were tested for IL-2 activity by the proliferation of the IL-2 dependent cell line CTLD. The IL-2 assay is based on the growth dependence of these cultured T-cell lines on IL-2. T cells harvested from IL-2 dependent culture, washed and placed back in culture in the absence of IL-2 invariably die within 24 hr. By using tritiated thymidine incorporation (³ H-TdR) as an index of cultured T-cell replication, the IL-2 microassay provides a highly reproducible and quantitive indication of the amount of IL-2 activity in the supernatant prepared hereinabove.

2. To assay a condition medium for IL-2 activity, a sample containing 5×10⁴ CTLD cells, 10% fetal calf serum and 50% of supernatant in question, all were suspended in a final volume of 1 ml RPMI. Aliquots of 0.2 ml from each sample were placed in four replicate wells of 96 microwell tissue culture plates (NUNC). Conditioned medium was obtained from cultures of Charles River rat spleen cells stimulated with Con A that contained a known amount of IL-2 as a reference in all assays.

3. The microwells were incubated for 24 hr at 37 degrees C. after which 1 microcurie/well of ³ H-methylthymidine was added. Cells were then further incubated overnight, harvested with a cell harvester, and counted in a beta scintillator.

The results, in counts per minute (CPM) were as follows and indicate the relative quantity of IL-2 that is present in the supernatants.

a) Control (no injection)

b) Control (0.2 ml DMSO)

c) 1 μg of compound of Example 1 (in 0.2 ml DMSO/PBS solution)

d) 10 μg of compound of Example 1 (in 0.2 ml of DMSO/PBS solution)

    ______________________________________                                         day 1     day 2    day 3   day 4  day 6 day 7                                  ______________________________________                                         (a)*  37,695  32,055   24,758                                                                               45,029 25,065                                                                               36,775                               (b)*  16,323  30,824   24,861                                                                               30,555 48,921                                                                               38,626                               (c)   25,919  21,398   10,130                                                                               31,999 41,261                                                                               66,854                               (c)   34,326  22,050   13,235                                                                               14,226 80,314                                                                               58,094                               (c)   16,718   9,338    2,176                                                                               17,228 42,485                                                                               51,268                               (d)   24,335  31,901   20,316                                                                               26,644 22,040                                                                               85,216                               (d)   21,193  36,390   18,288                                                                               18,051 74,043                                                                                6,299                               (d)   25,381  22,066   12,126                                                                               65,963 43,838                                                                               --                                   ______________________________________                                          *spleens from control animals were pooled after removal from animal.     

EXAMPLE 4

This example describes the stimulation of IL-2 production from human mononuclear cells by the use of the compound of Example 1.

Venous whole blood (with heparin, Evans: 10IU/ml blood) was diluted with RPMI in a ratio of 1:1. The diluted blood was gently placed on Lymphoprep (Nylgard & Co., Oslo, Norway, density 1.077 g/ml) two parts of diluted blood on one part of Lymphoprep. Each tube was provided with 3 ml Lymphoprep and 6 to 7 ml diluted blood. The tubes were centrifuged 30 minutes at 1600 rpm at room temperature. After the centrifugation, mononuclear cells were collected from the interphase fraction and washed with RPMI three times. The cells were resuspended in RPMI, counted on a hemocytometer, using trypan blue to test for viability and brought to a concentration of 1×10⁻⁶ cells per ml in enriched RPMI. Varying concentrations of the compound of Example 1 ranging from 50 μg/ml to 5 pg/ml were added in a volume of 10% of cell mixture. Aliquots of 0.2 ml from each sample were placed in wells of microplates (NUNC) (triplicates). The microplates were incubated for 72 hours at 37° C. after which ³ H-methylthymidine, 1 u Ci/well (Nuclear Research Center, Israel) was added to the cultures. Cells were further incubated overnight and harvested with a cell harvester. Proliferation of human mononuclear cells was increased by 5 to 6 fold in the range of 1 to 10 ng/ml of cells of the compound of Example 1 thus suggesting that the compound of Example 1 either induced the production of IL-2 in a subset of the mononuclear cells resulting in the observed proliferation and/or the induced receptor formation in a given population which would also result in proliferation.

EXAMPLE 5

This example illustrates the in vivo effect of the compound of Example 1 on an experimentally induced tumor.

A solution of 0.2% of methylcholanthrene (MCA, Sigma, USA) was prepared by dissolving 2 mg of the carcinogen in 1.0 ml of olive oil (Ref: Petra, et al., Cancer 19:302, 1961) with continuous shaking at 37° C. for 30 minutes. Six to eight week old C₃ Heb mice were injected with 0.6 mg MCA/0.3 ml of solvent/mouse subcutaneously in the rear right thigh.

After 21-30 days the induced tumor was surgically removed and pushed through 60 mesh stainless nets to obtain isolated cells. These cells were then further injected subcuteneously into the rear right thigh of C₃ Heb mice 5 to 8 weeks of age, at a concentration of 10⁶ cells/0.3 ml PBS/mouse/hypodermic needle 25 gauge, 5/8" to further induce tumor formation.

Five days after injection of the tumor cells, a palpable tumor was induced. The animals were thereafter treated as follows:

a) control (0.2 ml 40% DMSO 60% PBS, IP 1 day after the induced tumor was palpable)

b) 10 μg of compound of Example 1, IP to 5 mice (in 0.2 ml 40% DMSO 60% PBS, 3 days after the induced tumor was palpable and a second injection of 10 ug of compound in the same solvent was administered 5 days after the first injection to 3 of the 5 mice.

The tumors were excised after 13 days and the volume was determined and is reported in the Table. All animals expired 35 to 38 days after the initial innoculation.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                        Compound of Ex. 1                                                                              Vol. of Tumor                                   Group  Mouse   Administration  (13 days)                                       ______________________________________                                         a*     1       --              4.01                                            a*     2       --              3.7                                             a*     3       --              3.9                                             b      7       day 3           0.77                                            b      8       day 3           1.66                                            b      4       day 3 and 5     0.7                                             b      5       day 3 and 5     0.52                                            b      6       day 3 and 5     0.31                                            ______________________________________                                          *Control                                                                 

EXAMPLE 6

Balb-c mice, age 7 weeks were injected with methylcholanthrene to induce the formation of fibrosarcoma cells according to the procedure of Example 5. The test animals were divided into two groups.

a) control (0.2 IP of 40% DMSO and 60% PBS)

b) 10 μg of compound of Example 1 (in 0.2 ml 40% DMSO 60% PBS, IP at intervals shown in Table 2)

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Days After Inno-                                                                              Days after Injection                                            Culation With  With Compound Of                                                Tumor Cells    Example 1      % Survival                                       ______________________________________                                         a)*  24            --             100%                                              25            --             63%                                               34            --             55%                                               46            --             45%                                               60            --             35%                                               67            --             18%                                               69            --              0%                                          b)    4             4             100%                                               9             9             100%                                              23            23             100%                                              30            30             100%                                              37            37             100%                                              .sup. 39.sup.1                                                                               39             100%                                              41            41             100%                                              43            43             100%                                              46            46             80%                                               48            48             80%                                               50            50             80%                                               53            53             60%                                               60            60             40%                                               67            --             20%                                               68            --              0%                                          ______________________________________                                          *Control                                                                       .sup.1 Day 39 marked the start of an increased dosage regimen to determin      the toxicity of the compounds of Example 1. The mortality results for          group (b) were 0% until just after the increased dosage regimen.         

EXAMPLE 7

This example describes the in vitro making of IL-2 and CSF from mouse spleen cells using the compound of Example 1 as the extrinsic stimulating agent.

Spleens were removed from 15, male Balb-c mice 6 to 8 weeks of age. The spleen cells were pushed through stainless steel 60 mesh (U.S. standard) nets resting in 5 mm Petri dishes containing PBS in order to separate the cells. The cells were then collected into centrifuge tubes and spun at 1000 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant was discarded and cells were treated with 5 ml of hypotonic buffer (0.15 MNH₄ Cl; 0.01 M KHCO₃ dissolved in double distilled water, pH 7.2) for exactly two minutes. Thereafter, PBS was added to the cells and the test tubes were centrifuged for 10 minutes at 1000 rpm. The cells were rinsed twice and counted in a heamocytometer using trypan blue to test for viability. The cells were brought to a concentration of 10⁷ viable cells/ml. The cells were contacted with varying amounts of the compound of Example 1 in 1 ml of 40% DMSO 60% PBS. Table 3 shows the induction of IL-2 activity and colony stimulating factor that was obtained with varying amounts of the compound of Example 1.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                                   Compound of                                                                    Example 1                                                                      IL-2 (cpm)                                                                              CSF (colonies/dish)                                         ______________________________________                                         50 μg     5,000      2                                                       5 μg     5,000      5                                                      500 ng       5,000      25                                                     50 ng        6,000      75                                                      5 ng       15,000     120                                                     500 pg      30,000     175                                                     50 pg       38,000     260                                                      5 pg       12,000     140                                                     ______________________________________                                          μg = micrograms                                                             ng = nanograms                                                                 pg = picograms                                                           

Control animals injected with the DMSO solvent were found to have a IL-2 baseline of 4,000-5,000 CPM and a CSF of 70-80/colonies/dish.

EXAMPLE 8

Human mononuclear cells were obtained as described above and cultured for 72 hours at a concentration of 10⁶ cells/ml enriched RPMI, in the presence of varying concentrations of the compound of Example 1. Culture supernatants were collected, centrifuged and tested for IL-2 activity by using 50% of the volume of the supernatant assaying their ability to support the proliferation of the IL-2 dependent cell line CTLD. Table 4 reports the results of this assay.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                                        Counts per minute                                               ______________________________________                                         Compound of Example 1                                                           1 μg         250                                                           100 μg        280                                                            10 ng           1,500                                                          1 ng            11,000                                                        Control:                                                                       CTLD cells       3,500                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9

This example describes the stimulation of IL-2 production from human mononuclear cells by the use of the compound of Example 2.

Venous whole blood (with heparin, Evans: 10IU/ml blood) was diluted with RPMI in a ratio of 1:1. The diluted blood was gently placed on Lymphoprep (Nylgard & Co., Oslo, Norway, density 1.077 g/ml) two parts of diluted blood on one part of Lymphoprep. Each tube was provided with 3 ml Lymphoprep and 6 to 7 ml diluted blood. The tubes were centrifuged 30 minutes at 1600 rpm at room temperature. After the centrifugation, mononuclear cells were collected from the interphase fraction and washed with RPMI three times. The cells were resuspended in RPMI, counted on a hemocytometer, using trypan blue to test for viability and brought to an enriched RPMI. Varying concentrations of the compound of Example 2 ranging from 50 μg/ml to 1 ng/ml were added in a volume of 10% of cell mixture. Aliquots of 0.2 ml from each sample were placed in triplicate wells of microplates (NUNC). The microplates were incubated for 72 hours at 37° C. after with ³ H-methylthymidine, 1 u Ci/well (Nuclear Research Center, Israel) was added to the cultures. Cells were further incubated overnight and harvested with a cell harvester. Proliferation of human mononuclear cells was increased by 10 fold in the range of 1 to 10 ng of the compound of Example 2/ml cells thus suggesting that the compound of Example 2 either induced the production of IL-2 in a subset of the mononuclear cells resulting in the observed proliferation and/or the induced receptor formation in a given population which would also result in proliferation.

EXAMPLE 10

To a 100 ml solution of PBS* is added 5.0 mg of the compound of Example 1 using sterile conditions. The mixture is placed in a sonicator, and is sonicated for 4 hours. After the 4 hour period, the compound is dissolved to give a concentration of 10 μg/0.2 ml.

    ______________________________________                                         *NaCl                8.0    g                                                  KCl                  200    mg                                                 Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4   1150   mg                                                 KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4    200    mg                                                 CaCl.sub.2  (anhyd.) 100    mg/L                                               Mg Cl.sub.2 6H.sub.2 O                                                                              100    mg/L                                               H.sub.2 O            sufficient to                                                                  make 1 liter                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 11

Using 100 ml of the PBS of Example 10, 5.0 mg of the compound of Example 1 is dissolved by shaking in an electrically operated shaker for 4 hours, using sterile conditions to obtain a 10 μg /0.2 ml solution.

EXAMPLE 12

Using stirring 5.0 mg of the compound of Example 1 is dissolved under sterile conditions in 20 ml of glycerol. Thereafter 80 ml of PBS is added to form a solution containing 10 μg/0.2 ml.

It has been determined that the compound of Example 1 will dissolve as follows:

6.0 g/L in 40% glycerol/60% PBS

1.3 g/L in 20% glycerol/80% PBS

1.0 g/L in 10% glycerol/90% PBS

EXAMPLE 13

This example demonstrates the effect of oral administration of the compounds of Example 1 and 2 on the induction of lymphokines.

The compounds were administered to male Balb-C mice, 6-8 weeks of age by the administration of the compounds of Examples 1 and 2 in drinking water at a concentration of 10 μg/ml of water and 1 μg/ml of water for the compound of example 1 and 25 μg, 10 μg and 1 μg/ml of water for the compound of example 2. The water solution was prepared by dissolving the compounds in PBS at a concentration of 50 μg/ml PBS and diluting the resulting solution to the desired concentration. The compounds were administered over a 4 day period. The exact amount of liquid intake was recorded daily. After 4 days the mice were sacrificed and spleens removed and processed as described in Example 3. The cells were incubated at a concentration of 10⁷ cells/ml in enriched RPMI containing 2 μg/ml of con-A for 24 hours at 37° C. The supernatants were collected and tested for IL-2 content.

    ______________________________________                                         Compound ug/ml H.sub.2 O                                                                          Intake/animal                                                                             cpm                                              ______________________________________                                         Ex 1     10 μg/ml                                                                              248 μg                                                   Ex 1      1 μg/ml                                                                               23 μg  49179 [+50%]*                                    Ex 2     25 μg/ml                                                                              406 μg  44500 [+35%]*                                    Ex 2     10 μg/ml                                                                              123 μg  36815                                            Ex 2      1 μg/ml                                                                               17 μg  42500 [+30%]*                                    Control                       32843                                            ______________________________________                                          *Percent increase as compared to control                                 

The compound of Example 1 was thoroughly mixed with powdered sucrose and 10 μg of the compound of example 1 in 25 mg of powdered sucrose was placed in the mouth of each mouse.

After 24 hours the mice were sacrificed and the spleens were processed as described above. The IL-2 content was as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                         cpm                                                            ______________________________________                                         Test 1                                                                         A                 250,175 [+117%]*                                             B                 166,475 [+50%]*                                              Control           110,853                                                      Test 2                                                                         A                  55,382 [+69%]*                                              B                  41,938 [+28%]*                                              C                  29,172 [0]                                                  Control            32,980                                                      ______________________________________                                          *Calculated as percent increase as compared to control.                  

This experiment shows that the compound of example 1 is active for inducing lymphokine production when given in dry form or when hydrolyzed in an aqueous diluent.

EXAMPLE 14

Tellurium dioxide (0.5 mole) was suspended in 250 ml 1,2-ethanediol (excess) and the mixture was heated under reflux at 90° C. under a slight vacuum for 16 hours. A white crystalline product was obtained. The material was separated by filtration, dried and then purified by sublimation at 150° C. (0.25 mm Hg) mp 206°-210° C. Cf. JACS 103,2340-2347 (1981).

Anal. calc. for C₄ H₈ O₄ Te: C, 19.2; H, 3.3; O,25.07; Te 51.2. Found: C, 19.91; H, 3.12; O, 24.98; Te, 49.99.

MS m/e 250. This compound has the following structure: ##STR10##

EXAMPLE 15

To a stirred solution of TeCl₄ (0.015 mol) and 1,2-propanediol (0.03 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (70 ml) at -40° C. was added dropwise triethylamine (0.06) in 30 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The white precipitate of triethylamine hydrochloride was removed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated at room temperature and white oily crystals were obtained and purified by sublimation at 120° C. (0.25 mm Hg) M.S. m/e=204,278. This compound has the following structure: ##STR11##

EXAMPLE 16

Using the procedure of Example 1, the following compounds were made using tellurium tetrachloride and the corresponding diol: ##STR12##

EXAMPLE 17

The compounds listed below were tested in vitro at various concentrations that ranged from 10 μg/ml cells to 1×10⁻⁶ μg/ml of cell mixtures. Cells were obtained from spleens of male Balb/c mice 6-8 weeks of age. Spleens were pushed through a stainless steel 60 mesh strainer to separate cells. The erythrocytes were lysed by treatment with hypotonic buffer (0.15 M NH₄ CL, 0.001 M KHCO₃ dissolved in double distilled water, pH 7.21 for two minutes. The remaining cells were rinsed twice and brought to a concentration of 10⁷ cells/ml enriched RPMI. The cells were then innoculated with the test compound and incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. in the presence of 7.5% CO₂. The supernatants were collected thereafter and were tested for IL-2 activity by the proliferation of the IL-2 dependent cell line CTLD. These experiments showed that at 1 μg/ml of cell mixture most of the compounds exerted a maximum effect on IL-2 secretion.

    ______________________________________                                                             Spleen                                                     Compound            Cells (cpm)                                                ______________________________________                                         Example 1           14,600  (+472%)                                            Example 14          10,300  (+304%)                                            Example 2           18,000  (+605%)                                            Ph.sub.2 Te (OCOCH.sub.3).sub.2 *                                                                  3,500                                                      Ph.sub.2 Te Cl.sub.2 *                                                                             2,300                                                      Ph.sub.2 Te (OCOPh).sub.2 *                                                                        4,300                                                      Ph.sub.2 Te Cl*     2,100                                                      Ph Te Cl.sub.3      18,000  (+605%)                                            (pCH.sub.3 OPh).sub.2 TeCl.sub.2                                                                   2,148                                                      Example 16 (a)      13,540  (+435%)                                            Example 16 (b)      10,650  (+318%)                                            Example 16 (c)      15,720  (+516%)                                            Example 16 (d)      18,075  (+608%)                                            TeO.sub.2           17,055  (+508%)                                            Control             2,550                                                      ______________________________________                                          *no significant activity at level tested                                 

EXAMPLE 18

This Example shows the stimulative effect of the compounds of Example 1, Example 16(a) and TeO₂ on the induction of IL-2 receptors of human mononuclear cells.

Human MNC were brought to a concentration of 10⁶ cells/ml. RPMI+10% FCS. Aliquots of 0.2 ml. were placed in duplicate wells of microdishes and plates were incubated at 37 C for 24 hrs. Thereafter wells were rinsed twice with RPMI and cells were resuspended with 20 I.U./ml recombinant IL-2 in RPMI and 10% FCS. Plates were further incubated for 48 hrs. and labelled with 3H thymidine 24 hrs. before harvesting.

The proliferation was measured by ³ HT uptake as described by Gillis et al, J. Immunol. 120,2027 (1978). The results are expressed in counts per minute.

    ______________________________________                                                Com-     Com-     Com-          Com-                                    Test A pound    pound    pound of      pound of                                (μg/ml)                                                                            of Ex. 1 of Ex. 1 Ex. 16 (a)                                                                             TeO.sub.2                                                                            Ex. 16 (b)                              ______________________________________                                         1      28625    27593    21910   1563  1018                                    5 × 10.sup.-1                                                                   120755   105943   145208  4667  1195                                    7 × 10.sup.-1                                                                   164538   115195   130845  2475  2102                                    5 × 10.sup.-2                                                                   20022    5702     8752    2515  1602                                    1 × 10.sup.-2                                                                   1952     3963     9543    3108  5883                                    1 × 10.sup.-3                                                                   3652     5055     6685    2867  1093                                    1 × 10.sup.-4                                                                   3558     4047     6447    5540  1138                                    1 × 10.sup.-5                                                                   2474     4063     8177    3442  2146                                    ______________________________________                                          (a) Control -2338 (no chemical)                                                (b) Cell plus recombinant IL2 (human) Biogen 1.5 × 10.sup.-6 units       3260                                                                           (c) Phytohemagglutinin M (Difco)  195,432                                

    Test B  Compound   Compound         Compound                                   (μg/ml)                                                                             of Ex. 1   of Ex. 2  TeO.sub.2                                                                             of Ex. 14                                  ______________________________________                                         1       23488      9315      3275   2620                                       5 × 10.sup.-1                                                                    66910      8688      5405   2402                                       7 × 10.sup.-1                                                                    17620      5250      4302   2000                                       5 × 10.sup.-2                                                                    5390       5538      4280   3290                                       1 × 10.sup.-2                                                                    6057       6418      3077   3928                                       1 × 10.sup.-3                                                                    5865       5167      3800   3007                                       1 × 10.sup.-4                                                                    4960       5372      2925   2327                                       1 × 10.sup.-5                                                                    7155       6397      3645   2242                                       ______________________________________                                          (a) Control 5573 (no chemical)                                                 (b) Cell plus recombinant IL2 (human) Biogen 1.5 × 10.sup.-6 units       6858                                                                           (c) Phytohemagglutinin M (Difco)  125,272                                

EXAMPLE 19

This example shows the stimulative effect of the compounds of the invention on the proliferation of human mononuclear cells.

Human mononuclear cells were obtained by layering heparinized blood over a Ficoll/Hypaque gradient. The mononuclear cells were resuspended in enriched RPMI, rinsed three times and brought to a concentrations of 5×10⁵ cells/ml enriched RPMI. Varying concentrations of the compounds of Ex. 1 and Ex. 2, ranging from 0.005 μg to 5 μg/cell mixture were added to the cells. Aliquots of 0.2 ml of each sample were placed in wells of microplates (triplicates). Microplates were incubated for 72 hours at 37° C. after which they were labelled with H³ methyl-thymidine 1 uCi/well for an additional 24 hours. Cells were then harvested with a cell harvester.

    ______________________________________                                                       Compound  Compound                                               (μg/ml)    of Ex. 1  of Ex. 1                                               ______________________________________                                         1              873      4700                                                   5 × 10.sup.-1                                                                          18515*    33700*                                                 1 × 10.sup.-1                                                                          2735       708                                                   5 × 10.sup.-2                                                                          3865       910                                                   1 × 10.sup.-2                                                                          3235      1362                                                   1 × 10.sup.-3                                                                          2553      2180                                                   1 × 10.sup.-4                                                                          3838      2387                                                   1 × 10.sup.-5                                                                          3218      2442                                                   control       2700      2943                                                   ______________________________________                                                 Compound  Compound   Compound                                          (μg/ml)                                                                             of Ex. 1  of Ex. 1   of Ex. 16 (a)                                                                           TeO.sub.2                                ______________________________________                                         5 μg/ml                                                                             5008      5182       4118     3028                                     1 μg/ml                                                                             6000      5600       4557     2842                                     5 × 10.sup.-1                                                                    20488*    13600*     18415*   4773                                     1 × 10.sup.-1                                                                    7037      10382*     12435*   4825                                     5 × 10.sup.-2                                                                    5520      5765       5953     5802                                     1 × 1.sup.0-2                                                                    6898      5712       6000     4730                                     1 × 10.sup.-3                                                                    5800      6000       6300     6168                                     1 × 10.sup.-4                                                                    5513      6212       4587     5331                                     Control 3600      6117       6113     4912                                     ______________________________________                                                       Compound  Compound                                               μg/ml      of Ex. 2  of Ex. 2                                               ______________________________________                                                       4557       943                                                   5 × 10.sup.-1                                                                          18415     23957*                                                 1 × 10.sup.-1                                                                          12435     31424*                                                 5 × 10.sup.-2                                                                          5953      5532                                                   1 × 10.sup.-2                                                                          6000      2987                                                   1 × 10.sup.-3                                                                          6300      1510                                                   1 × 10.sup.-4                                                                          4321      2332                                                   1 × 10.sup.-5                                                                          5118      2481                                                   Control       4587      2018                                                   ______________________________________                                          *The concentrations that induced proliferation range from 5 ×            10.sup.-1 to 1 × 10.sup.-1 μg. No significant effect was found        for TeO.sub.2 at any concentration that was tested.                      

EXAMPLE 20

Using the procedure of Example 4, human mononuclear cells were tested for their ability to produce IL-2 after induction with PHA or in unstimulated cells from normal donors and from patients suffering from systemic lupus erthyrematous. The IL-2 content was tested according to the procedure of Example 3 using the CTLD IL-2 dependent cell line. The results are reported in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                                    IL-2 PRODUCTION BY                                                             COMPOUND OF EXAMPLE 1                                                                5 μg 0.2                                                                              1:50  1:100  1:200                                  SUBJECTS  PHA    mlPBS     PBS*  PBS*   PBS*                                   ______________________________________                                         NORMAL                                                                         1         -      2.3**     43.6  38.4   30.1                                             +      36.4      48.2  46.2   38.6                                   2         -      2.1       52.2  50.3   47.1                                             +      30.4      38.9  54.2   49.8                                   3         -      2.1       50.8  46.1   31.3                                             +      38.9      53.5  44.8   38.3                                   SLE                                                                            1         -      2.0       37.3  32.1   26.1                                             +      6.3       24.2  19.7   15.4                                   2         -      2.4       43.6  35.1   30.3                                             +      8.2       28.1  24.0   18.6                                   3         -      2.4       19.2  18.1   14.4                                             +      4.1       23.8  20.2   16.8                                   ______________________________________                                          *Dilution of 1 part of 0.2 ml of PBS containing 5 μg of compound of Ex      1 in 50, 100 or 200 parts of PBS.                                              **CPM × 10.sup.-3 of .sup.3 H Thymidine of 5 × 10.sup.4 CTLD       cells in presence of 1:2 dilution of the supernatants as in Ex. 3.       

EXAMPLE 21

This example provides an assay to detect the presence of receptor sites of IL-2. Human mononuclear cells were incubated for 24 hours in the presence of the compound of Example 1 and TeO₂. The cells were washed twice with PBS and then incubated with a specific fluoresceinated antibody against IL-2 receptors as described in Uchiyama et al, J. Immunol. 126,1398 (1981) The results were that in the control 2% of the cells were positive; in the presence of PHA 80% of the cells were positive and with 1 μg/ml of the compound of Example 1, 20% of the cells were found to be positive. It was found that TeO₂ gave 5% positive cells at a level of 1 μg/ml.

EXAMPLE 22

The effect of the compound of Example 1 on an infection with West Nile virus (WNV) was determined. WNV is a toga virus of the flavivirus group, a positive single stranded RNA virus, which when injected IP to mice usually kills them within 5-8 days as a result of extensive damage to the central nervous system. For this study ICR mice (3 wks of age) were injected IP with the virus at the concentration of 10³ or 10⁴ LD 50 units/mouse. Injections of 10 μg/0.2 ml PBS/mouse of the compound of Ex. 1 were given on day -1 (one day prior to injection of virus) and 6 days after injection of virus. Table A shows preliminary results of one such experiment. As can be seen, after 8 days all animals injected with the virus alone died, whereas three out of five animals receiving treatment with the compound of Ex. 1 remained alive.

                  TABLE A                                                          ______________________________________                                                 Treatment                                                                      10.sup.3 LD.sub.50                                                                    10.sup.3 LD.sub.50                                                                      10.sup.4 LD.sub.50                                                                      10.sup.4 LD.sub.50                                                                    0                                      ______________________________________                                         Comp. of  NO       YES      NO     YES    YES                                  Ex. 1 injected                                                                 # Alive/  0/6      3/5      0/6    3/5    6/6                                  Total Animals                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

In a second experiment, mice were injected with 10³ IPLD₅₀ virus and received injections of the compound of Example 1 (1 μg/0.2 ml PBS/mouse) on days -1, 1, 2 and 4. Preliminary results of one such experiment on day 8 after injection are shown in Table B. As seen on day 8 all animals injected with virus alone died whereas 3 out of 5 receiving the compound of Ex. 1 remained alive. Two out of the remaining three survived an additional 8 days, whereas the third remained alive without any manifestations of clinical symptoms.

                  TABLE B                                                          ______________________________________                                                             10.sup.3 IPLD.sub.50                                                           +             Compound                                     Treatment                                                                               10.sup.3 IPLD.sub.50                                                                      Compound of Ex. 1                                                                            of Ex. 1                                     ______________________________________                                         # Alive/ 0/8        3/5           5/5                                          Total                                                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 23

This example shows that the interaction of WNV with cultures of ICR mouse macrophage results in a productive infection. Varying amounts of the compound of Example 1 (5 μg, 1 μg, 0.1 μg) were incubated with a monolayer of mouse macrophages for 24 h. After 24 h macrophages incubated with 5 ug of the compound of Example 1 died whereas others remained unaffected. All cultures were then infected with 10⁴ PFU/plate. After 72 h incubation the supernatants were collected and the virus was titrated against Vera cells. Table A shows preliminary results of one such experiment. As can be seen, incubation of macrophage cultures with 1 ug of the compound of Example 1 resulted in a 40-fold reduction of virus yield, whereas incubation with 0.1 μg of the compound of Ex. 1 plate resulted in a ten-fold reduction in virus yield.

                  TABLE A                                                          ______________________________________                                         Treatment            Virus Yield (PFU/ml)                                      ______________________________________                                         Control (virus alone)                                                                               2 × 10.sup.4 /ml                                    Compound of Example 1 μg/plate                                                                   5 × 10.sup.2 /ml                                    Compound of Example 1 0.1 μg/plate                                                               2 × 10.sup.3 /ml                                    ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in a capable or tablet containing an amount of tellurium dioxide which is effective to stimulate the production of lymphokines in a mammal.
 2. A pharmaceutical composition as defined in claim 1, wherein the tellurium dioxide comprises an amount to provide a dose of from 0.05×10⁻³ to 1×10⁻³ g/Kg of body weight of a mammal.
 3. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises an amount of tellurium dioxide which is effective to stimulate the production of lymphokines in a mammal and a solvent which comprises:NaCl 8.0 g; K Cl 200 mg; Na₂ HPO₄ 1150 mg; KH₂ PO₄ 200 mg; Ca Cl₂ anhyd. 100 mg; Mg Cl₂ 6H₂ O 100 mg; and H₂ O sufficient to make 1 liter. 